Please join me in celebrating the trade paperback release of my sixth book, Mermaids in the Basement.
My wonderful publicist arranged to have a trailer made:
The launch party was last Sunday--here I am with a friend.
And here's my mother with another good friend (winks to William). Not pictured is my good friend, Darnell Arnoult, who is the author of the acclaimed novel, Sufficient Grace).
Guests were served raspberry champagne
in sugar-coated flutes...
miniature apricot chicken salad puffs
Truffles and chocolate mermaids
The truffles had cream cheese centers, and the chocolate mermaids were just adorable.
A good time was had by all. Wish you could have been there.
GM Gollum...Congrats on your new book release...the Par-ty looks just wondeful and your Mama is just beautiful..Girl I just made cream cheese truffles at Christmas and they were so YUMMY!! hope you do doing better today..hugs and smiles Gloria
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS.I KNOW YOU MUST BE VERY PROUD...ANN
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been there too! I read it and thought it was very good!
ReplyDeleteOh, to have been a little fly on the wall ... I think we all live a tad vicariously through you, Ms. Gollum! My heartiest congratulations. I am finishing "The Master" by Colm Toibin and next on my reading agenda is "She Flew The Coop!"
ReplyDeleteHi Golum, many congratulations, looks like you all had a wonderful time and the Champagne Strawberries, Chicken salad puffs and chocolate mermaids etc look so delicious. I now ha ve three of your books including Mermaids and am relly enjoying them and I see I have another three and of course the newist one to look forward to, I am going to have to put aside some serious reading time. Your trailer is wonderful and your mum and friends must be so proud of you, hugs, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were an author! I'm impressed! The book sounds wonderful and I'll be ordering it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book release!!! I wish I could have been there as well. I'm glad your mother could attend as well.. is this handsome guy your youngest? I'm so blest to know you..
ReplyDeletehugs ~lynne~
Looks like a wonderful event! The raspberry champagne looks so yummy! Love the sugared rims. I did that when I made Susan's (Between Naps on the Porch) champagne punch on New Year's Eve.
ReplyDeleteAlso wanted to say that I've ordered all your books and received them the other day and can't wait to start reading them. I just have to dig out from under my mountain of work first!
Oh G - my heartiest congrats! I am so honored to know you and call you friend. I cannot wait to get your book. It sounds like my kind of read. It amazes me that you maintain this blog and still have time to write. BTW, my book endeavor is still ongoing. I have decided to write it anyway....just in case. I wish I could have been at your party. Congrats again! Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This is a wonderful accomplishment. As I remember, it feels like finally getting a child in bed after a long exhausting evening. Sit back and enjoy a well deserved rest.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get my hands on this book. I've not ever read one and this will be my first!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog!
Gollum! Congrats! I think I will order all of your books in hardback. When I finally find a bookshelf to my liking.. I will have my "Michael Lee West collection ready!!! :)
ReplyDelete(((((HUGS))))))
Donna Marie
Oh Gollum! Heartfelt and many congratulations! and I love the trailer!
ReplyDeleteThe launch party looks fabulous, and the mermaids are adorable!
I'm so happy for you!
xo Isa
The trailer described the book perfectly. Your book party looked like a big hit and I wish I could have been there. Your mother must be so very proud of you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. How wonderful for you and your family. The party looks wonderful and I would love one of those truffles right about now!
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled to find out that you are a writer! I absolutely love to read and have a small book club that I host :-)
ReplyDeleteI am off to Amazon to find all of your books, so that I can start reading them!
Congratulations on your newest book and I will look forward to reading it :-)
Congratulations on your new book! I know you are proud and have good reason to be. I see a trip to Borders is in order.
ReplyDeleteGlenda
Thank you for the warm wishes.
ReplyDeleteYoung Bandwith decided to stay home that day. He's working on a book.
The young man in the photo works at the bookstore.
I've got to get the recipe for the apricot chicken salad--it was served in tiny, crisp wraps of some sort. I'm trying very hard not to eat the last of the candy!
Congrats! All looks wonderful... is that Prince Gollum with the apricot chicken salad puffs? (which sounds yummy..must google recipe)
ReplyDeleteI know you mentioned you were a writer...but I always got lost in your beautiful decor and dishes and food and... well, you get what I am saying... so I forgot to do anything...
well... I love to read ..almost anything.. but my book space is limited... so when the Amazon Kindle came out in November 2007 I was one of the first to grab one! It took some adjusting (I miss "holding" a book)...but being able to carry around 200+ books makes it easier to get over!
Just went to Amazon..click click..and both "Mermaids in the Basement" and "Mad Girls in Love" are now on the way to my Kindle (wireless)... so I will be able to begin reading soon (by the way, these are the only 2 available on Kindle right now...hint hint...would love to see the other 4 there too... no idea what cost/pros/cons are...so pay no attention to the lady behind the kindle.... lol
I am so happy for you on this release. Looks like the food was delicious and such great help to help you. I wish we all could have been there too.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book. The party looks like everyone had a wonderful time and the food looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you, and man, I wish I could have been there!
ReplyDeleteJustine :o )
Congratulations! The party must have been great. I'll pick up the book for a good read.
ReplyDeleteCongrads gg !!!! I am so happy for you and wish you the very best of luck. vickydarnell
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!Gollum
ReplyDeleteThe party looks wonderful. I now have 5 of your awesome books. I love the way you write you are so funny I also love your recipes. Now I need to find American Pie. Thanks Gollum kept writing.
Congratulations!! The party looks like fun especially with yummy food!! Sally
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome party...and what wonderful reviews you received!! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get out and get your new book. I'm new on you blog and just love everything about it and now to find out you are an author too! Wow! Congratulations..wish I could have been at the party. Warm wishes for continued success! Peggy from PA
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were an author too! Geeeez, is there anything you can't do? *grins*
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book...the party looks fabulous & don't I ever wish I could have been there. I can't wait to read your books. Too cool!
Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best, with this new book! I'm going over to Amazon, as soon as I leave here.
Congrats!!! Best of luck and success with it;) I wish I could have been there;) French
ReplyDeleteBeing new to visiting blogs I had no idea you were a published author. I just thought you were an incredibly accomplished homemaker, farmer, cook, and decorator. I want you to know that it is really sweet that you share your life with others and I really like coming to see what you are up to. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRoberta Anne
Congratulations! Your mother looks happy and proud ;)
ReplyDeleteGollum, I am so happy for you. Congrats on another book. I will be ordering them very soon. I am so excited to read your books. Your party looks wonderful. And you looked beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Terrie
Congratulations ... what a lovely launch party. Your mother seems to be enjoying herself. I'd love to reach in a get one of the sugar-flutes with raspberry champagne.
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but rave reviews from readers of your books. You have a lot a faithful followers.
what a darling pic of you! and nice to have such tasty treats on hand~
ReplyDeletecongrats on your latest release, i tried to get it at 2 bookstores the day it came out, both stores showed still in transit... i promptly bot from amazon and look forward to another great read of one of you books. i first found you in 2001 and read everything you had out then, i keep the books i read on an excel spreadsheet and just looked you up~ i only missed your latest due to menopause and that huge dry brain spell, but i am coming back with a vengeance and plan to read at least 100 books this year. love your witty writing style~
Okay, this party looks fabulous, and that trailer is wonderful! Thank you for sharing it, my most famous friend! laurie
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you Gollum...#6is quite a milestone! I hope you get a chance to share some of the tasty party fare recipes with us...
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you, ;-) Bo
Congratulations. I already have my hardback edition but I hope you sell lots and lots of the paperback edition to finance more of those tablescapes! ; )
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post..
Jain introduced me to your books.This one may be my favorite yet..
I think becuse of the Mom:)
Again..Congratulations.
How exciting.Your mama does look so happy and proud:)
Congratulations on the book release! I sure wish I had been there to celebrate with you and have some raspberry champagne and truffles. I agree with the others...you look wonderful as does your dear Mother.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your books soon.
Hi Gollum,
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
The trailer is very intriguing and very well done. It is such a blessing to be born with the creating gene. I am going to start reading your books. I'm glad you are feeling better.
Kathleen
Congrats! It looks like a fun evening! The food looks delish! I hope you get that recipe and pass it along! I can't wait to read it....Robyn
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I just received my copy a few days ago. I was so thrilled, then remembered I haven't read the first 2 yet & I'm reading in order... Paperwork is ruining my life.
ReplyDeleteGollum, what a lovely picture of you! Wish I had been there to share your happiness ... and of course, to sample the refreshments - please, do share the Chicken Puff recipe! :-) As always, love your blog - thanks for sharing ... I MUST get your books to read. - SherylCanadianGirl
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Gollum, You are always full of surprises, sneeking the book's paperback release/launch party in without us knowing in advance. :) I join the others in wishing you the best. It sure looked like the paperback was off to a good start, with such tempting goodies to help it on it's way.
ReplyDeleteCongratulatory ((((((HUGS))))))
'D'
Gollum - Congratulations! I've already devoured all of your books, but the trailer was so beautifully done that I'm getting that 're-read' feeling! The food looks so yummy! Must have been really difficult to stick to your diet... Nancy
ReplyDeleteBTW: You look so lovely in the picture...do you really need to diet?
I wish I had been there too! I see you are coming to North Carolina - just wish it were Raleigh.
ReplyDeleteMy sincerest congratulations!
Congratulations! I am very happy for you.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Bobbi Jo
Oh my goodness! I am so excited! I just checked your schedule and see that Raleigh has been added!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI see you there!
You are amazing! I didn't know you are a writer too! I have loved your blog since the moment I saw it! I can't wait to read your book... When the shower is over... its consuming all my time at the moment! Its this Sunday.... then I can relax and get your book and read it on the patio!
ReplyDelete*****You n' "Mom" look just radiant ~~~ Am so happy for you both and, well, just danged PROUD, too! You know tho, you COULD at LEAST have the DECENCY to AGE a little!!!~~~~ and for heaven's sake, can't BELIEVE you're on a diet!!!~~~ (Ahhh, then again, maybe that's H-O-W you REMAIN so young lookin'! That and "good genes"!)~ So fun that you shared this & the trailer w/ us~~~ "Who luvs ya, baby?"~~~ Happy hugs, Linda (A "geographical bachelorette" for a few days, & rather "enjoying" it you know, popcorn for dinner, etc!!!)~~~
ReplyDeleteMermaids is my all time favorite book!!! :) I laughed and cried, it was everything a book should be!
ReplyDeleteBuffie :)
Congratulations! It looked like everyone had a fine time! (That champagne looked tasty) How nice that your Mother is there to share in the moment. She looked very happy. Jan
ReplyDeleteYou know what I love most about you Michael? You're just so NORMAL! You get excited about things that you SHOULD get excited about and want to share them with your friends. You know I'm one of your biggest fans! My collection of MLW books is stacked on my nightstand. Just this week my cleaning lady asked.... "ummm...do you think you might want me to put these away?" I told her I wasn't ready yet! I just like looking at the great graphics on the covers and knowing that I know YOU!!!! The trailer was so well done and we're all so stinkin' proud of you. Wish we could all have been there to hang out and have a truffle and a mermaid. How cute are those?
ReplyDeletehugs~C
How fun! the drinks look wonderful as the food! Conrats! I new you were an author, but did not know you have written so many books! I will have to get your books. Private signing?... lol I know everyone wants one! No baby yet, its going to be in the teens here this afternoon, last week we were in 70's. I was hoping the baby would come then! You look great in the photo! I am going to see what I can find on your books. One of my friends, son has written, I think now 5 books. I can't wait to find yours. Stay away from the cleaners! lol Has the ram gone to his new home?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you on the publishing of your new book. I can't wait to read it. Kae
ReplyDeleteWell, happy, warn congratulations to you! I am off to Borders tomorrow to buy some of your books for our drive to Fl. (from Pa.). I need lots of books on a trip like that and more for when we get there. I am DROOLING over the chicken salad puffs, sure hope you get the recipe and share it with us! You and your Mom look SO beautiful and you can tell she is proud as a peacock! Sure wish I could have been there. Hugs, Pinky
ReplyDeleteThat was a very cool trailer...love all the intrique! Hope a lot of folks see it...would make me want to buy the book, if I didn't already have it. :-) Your Mom must be sooooo proud of you! I love that she was there for your book release/promotion...special memories being made, for sure! :-) Thanks for sharing this with us. That punch looks amazing! Love the truffles, too. I think I need to go find chocolate now! Susan
ReplyDeleteSpecial events are made more memorable when we're surrounded by or loved ones and good food. I think the raspberry champagne in sugar rimed glasses would be a nice refreshment, when on berries come in next summer.
ReplyDeleteCONGRTULATIONS!
Sweet wishes,
Sara
Just had to add my congrats to everyone elses! I will definitely be putting this on the list. I do love your writing style and all your other style too :-) Your whole family must be so very proud. Your Mama is so cute. Love the cover.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! ! Can't wait to read the book. I'll stop by Barnes & Noble this weekend.
ReplyDelete